In tribute to AG Ferguson, colleagues remember him as ‘fair, open’

By Emily HawsFeb. 7, 2019

The Peace Tower flag was lowered to half mast in Mr. Ferguson's honour at the request of the prime minister, said PCO clerk Michael Wernick.

Privy Council clerk Michael Wernick speaks of the legacy of the late auditor general, Michael Ferguson, during his funeral, held Feb. 7. Mr. Ferguson died of cancer on Feb. 2. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Several hundred people gathered to celebrate the life of Michael Ferguson, the late auditor general who developed a reputation for offering tough, but fair, critiques of the government’s record on a number of issues.

Gerald Butts has removed himself from the daily political grind of strategizing how to keep the Liberals in power. But observers say it's unlikely he will be consigned to watch the campaign unfold from the sidelines.

SNC-Lavalin risks a takeover if it's convicted. But aside from likely outrage in Quebec, Ottawa can find other builders for its infrastructure plans if the company is banned from bidding on federal contracts, experts say

The Quebec company had extensive access to government ministers and top staffers, and was the only organization registered to lobby for allowing deferred prosecution agreements for white collar crimes.